Renault Twingo news - Twingoing rallying - 2009

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Want a Renaultsport Twingo that can survive, say, being barrel-rolled through a sewer and jumped off a Belfast pier?

You’ll need one of Renault’s just-announced Twingo rally cars, then.

They come in two flavours, imaginatively named R1 and R2 (pictured). The R1 Twingo is essentially a standard 133 Cup Twingo, equipped with a roll cage and a bit more safety kit… but it’s the R2 we really want.

That’s because it’s a proper rally competition car, armed with a stiffer body shell, a revised front end and bigger arches. The interior has been, well, entirely removed, and there’s a five-speed sequential dog-box taking care of transmission duties.

The Twingo’s 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine has been bumped up to 158bhp and also produces 118lb ft of torque. Big brakes and adjustable suspension complete the picture.

Renault says the Twingo R2 is eligible to compete in most national and international rallies. The upgrades will cost around £25,000 - excluding tyres.

We want one. Very much. We’ve just one question, though: is there still space for Ross Kemp in the back?

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